Internal Parasites And Humans

[leecasey]

Hi, so I believe my Oscar might have internal parasites which I plan to treat. While doing a water change, syphoning water via my mouth I wondered if it was possible to also become infected? I've inspected e water and believe I can see tiny white worms wiggling. Is this something we should be concerned about? Or will our immune system kill these types off easily.

Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

Very nearly all parasites are specific as to what they'll invade; so, no, you couldn't catch worms or anything like that.

I suppose it might be possible to pick up bacterial infections, like salmonella, but normal hygiene practices (washing your hands before and after working in your tank) would soon eliminate that risk.

As far as I am aware, the only really risky thin you can catch from your tank would be 'fish TB', or 'fish tank granuloma', which is really nasty and can take a long time to clear, but it's also vanishingly rare; even most doctors haven't heard of it. If you're really worried about it, don't put your hands in the tank if you have any broken skin (or get some of the long gloves that vets use) and don't mouth syphon; fill the tube by emersing it in the tank, and then take one end out with your finger or thumb over it.

 

[leecasey]

Thanks for the tips and info flutter

 

[nehpets81]

Very nearly all parasites are specific as to what they'll invade; so, no, you couldn't catch worms or anything like that.

I suppose it might be possible to pick up bacterial infections, like salmonella, but normal hygiene practices (washing your hands before and after working in your tank) would soon eliminate that risk.

As far as I am aware, the only really risky thin you can catch from your tank would be 'fish TB', or 'fish tank granuloma', which is really nasty and can take a long time to clear, but it's also vanishingly rare; even most doctors haven't heard of it. If you're really worried about it, don't put your hands in the tank if you have any broken skin (or get some of the long gloves that vets use) and don't mouth syphon; fill the tube by emersing it in the tank, and then take one end out with your finger or thumb over it.

I read somewhere this week about a young girl who lost her hand to fish TB which wasn't responding to any drugs. Really nasty stuff.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I don't want to worry you, but other recent story besides th girl with TB mentioned by "nehpets81", a couple are being eaten alive by worms contracted via fish, albeit they ate the fish...

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=4131

 

[Athena]

OMG that's enough to put you off eating fish! This is one of the reasons I shy away from eating raw fish (as in sushi bars). I guess also if a fish is undercooked (as happened with this Australian couple on their camping stove) any parasites won't be killed off.

So...if you're going to eat fish, make sure it is properly cooked all the way through.

As for siphoning water using the old way of sucking on the tube to get the flow going...these days there are so many options to avoid having to do this (who wants to get a mouthful of tank water anyway lol) e.g. (some you shake up and down in the water a few times to get the suction going, some have a small bulb-shaped pump - a few squeezes and away you go, there's even battery-operated versions).

I've no idea if those parasites in your tank water are harmful to humans if ingested...I guess if you start noticing any symptoms of feeling ill, mention it to your GP asap.


Athena